Coin-operated fuel vending apparatus



July 30, 1968 B. HUSTER ET AL 3,394,789

COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 30, 1968 5 HUSTER ET AL 3,394,789

COINOPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 30, 1968 HUSTER ET AL 3,394,789

COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 w htrau'hl ylr' July 30, 1968 B TE ET AL 3,394,789

COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 30, 1968 HUSTER ET AL 3,394,789

COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 H6. If

July 30, 1968 HUSTER ET AL 3,394,789

COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1967 1 7 Sheets-Sheets July 30, 1968 HUSTER ET AL 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 COIN INJFPTIONHOT fi I .l-Zow: =j wrrr Fl/HPUMP I i A i #wz w/ mmp I A 10 A United States Patent 3,394,789 COIN-OPERATED FUEL VENDING APPARATUS Bernhard Huster, Alfen, Felix Muller, Schwenningen, and Werner Metzger, Villingen, Germany, assignors to Kienzle Apparate G.m.b.H., Villingen, Germany Filed Jan. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 608,176 Claims priority, application Germany, Jan. 10, 1966,

K 58,106 33 Claims. (Cl. 1943) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The operations of a fuel vending machine are started and stopped by removal and return, respectively, of a discharge nozzle from its seat, and are controlled by a control shaft directly rotated by the unit order wheel of a price calculator, which is driven by the discharged fuel so that when the stored and credited value of inserted and sensed coins is exhausted, a valve is closed which terminates the discharge of fuel.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a coin-operated fuel vending apparatus which is provided at a tank station, and permits self-service, particularly at night when no attendant may be present at the tank station.

Fuel vending apparatus is known which permits the customer to obtain fuel by self service upon insertion of one or several coins. In one construction of the prior art, the insertion of a coin closes the switch of the motor driving the gasoline pump. The termination of the dispensing operation is obtained in different Ways, for example measuring vessels operate a switch when filled to disconnect the pump motor, whereupon the measuring vessels are emptied into the fuel tank of the vehicle.

-In another construction according to the prior art, each inserted coin is used as a coupling means permitting the manual setting of a counter which is counted back to a zero position during the discharge of fuel and interrupts the circuit of the pump motor when the preselected and paid for amount of fuel has been discharged.

Another apparatus according to the prior art provides a coin receiving and handling device which is arranged spaced from the pump column, and performs all functions and operations under electromagnetic control. The registering and storing of the values of the inserted coins is accomplished by rotary selectors which are connected by electric conduits with impulse generators for the price calculator of the pump column. The start of the pump motor in the column is also made dependent on the zero position of the price calculator before each dispensing operation and the insertion of one or several coins in corresponding different slots suitable for coins of different diameter. After the paid amount of fuel has been discharged, the pump motor is switched off and a closure valve which interrupts the supply of fuel to the dispensing hose, is closed. In the event that the fuel dispensing operation has to be interrupted, for example if the gas tank of the car could be filled with a smaller amount of fuel than expected, the coins which were not used, can be returned upon operation of a coin return knob to the customer.

The disadvantage of fuel vending apparatus of this type is that the coin receiving and handling apparatus is disposed spaced from the pump column for safety reasons since there is danger of explosion. This makes the operation more difficult, and increases the cost of the installation. At least the electric parts in the pump column must have an explosion-proof construction. Furthermore, the coin controlled apparatus must be mounted spaced from the pump column on a special foundation, and connecting cables must be buried underground.

The German utility model 1,912,267 discloses an apparatus for overcoming this disadvantage. The dispensing operation is terminated by a price preselector with a price calculator, and the start of the pump motor is made dependent on the coin controlled locking device. However, a price selector requires manual setting of the same to the value of the inserted coin, and there is no possibility of having unused coins returned to the customer.

Summary of the invention It is one object of the invention to provide a coinoperated fuel vending apparatus which can be mounted in, on, or adjacent the pump column without causing any fire or explosion hazard.

Another object of the invention is to drive a fuel vending apparatus by a price calculator driven by the dispensed fuel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fuel vending apparatus requiring no other operations of the customer but insertion of coins, and removing and returning the discharge nozzle to its rest.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coinoperated vending apparatus permitting the return of inserted coins to the customer, if the coins are not required for paying for the dispensed amount of fuel.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises a coin operated fuel vending apparatus directly mounted on the support of the price calculator and operatively connected with a price calculator so that all parts of the vending apparatus are driven from the price calculator.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the value of inserted coins is stored in a credit storage device which is operated by means controlled by the shaft of the price calculator, and which, when the credit storage device is empty and the value stored therein exhausted, drives a coin transporting means which transports a coin taken from a coin chute past a sensing means to a coin receptacle, while the sensing means sets the storage means to store the value of the sensed coin.

The fuel vending apparatus is used at a tank station having a fuel pump, a motor driving the fuel pump, and a price calculator driven by fuel discharged by the pump and including a register having a rotary means associated with a monetary unit, for example, a shaft of a unit order indicator or number wheel. The fuel vending apparatus comprises control means, such as a control cam shaft, connected with the rotary means of the unit order of the price calculator and being driven by the same during the dispensing of fuel; coin receiving means, preferably including a coin testing device, a coin slide with a coin chute, and transporting means for transporting each coin successively to a cash receptacle; sensing means for sensing a dimension of the coin in the coin receiving means, and more particularly in the transporting means during the movement of the same; credit storage means, preferably a spring biased toothed segment operated by the sensing means to store the value of the sensed coin, and being operated by the control means to reduce the stored value by a monetary unit during each revolution of the rotary unit order means of the price calculator; and discharge control means for terminating the discharge of fuel, for example by closing a valve, and having a normal inoperative position, and an operative position controlled by the control means. The discharge control means is operatively connected with a sensing means to assume the operative position when the sensing means senses no coin in the coin receiving means. Consequently, when the monetary value of inserted coins is exhausted, the discharge control means becomes operative to terminate the dispensing of fuel,

preferably by closing a value.

In the preferred emobdiment of the invention, the housing of the fuel vending apparatus is mounted on the housing of the price calculator, and coupling means detachably connect the price calculator with the control means of the fuel vending apparatus.

Other sensing means are provided for sensing a coin inserted into the coin receiving means and causing closing of the motor switch for starting the motor and fuel pump. However, it is preferred that the operation of the motor switch is only possible if the fuel discharge nozzle is first removed by the customer from its position of rest. When discharge nozzle is returned to its rest, the motor switch is opened, and the motor and pump stopped.

Clearing means are provided for the price calculator substantially in the form of a spring motor having a clearing spring which is tensioned When the discharge nozzle is placed on its rest at the end of a dispensing operation. When the next customer removes the discharge nozzle from its rest, the clearing spring operates the clearing means to clear the price calculator so that the same indicates zero. In accordance with the invention, the spring motor constituted by the clearing spring of the clearing means, is also used for performing certain preliminary operations, for example, the shifting of a coin slide carrying a coin chute to a position in which the coin chute is aligned with the transporting means by which each coin is transported past the sensing means to displace the same for the purpose of storing a corresponding value in the storage device.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a coin-operated fuel vending apparatus mounted on the housing of the price calculator of a tank station;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic perspective View illustrating the operation of clearing means for the price calculator by a fuel discharge nozzle as viewed from the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view of the fuel vending apparatus as viewed from the left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view of another part of the fuel vending apparatus as viewed from the right in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 to 7 are fragmentary side views illustrating different operational positions of a device for storing the monetary value of a sensed coin in storage means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view illustrating means for counting down the stored monetary value as a corresponding monetary value is entered into the price calculator;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are fragmentary side views illustrating the operation of discharge control means by which the dispensing of fuel is terminated when the value of inserted coins is exhausted;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a part of the coin receiving means of a preferred embodiment of the invention, including selecting means controlling the sensing of inserted coins of different value in a predetermined order;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a safety device preventing storage of wrong monetary values; and

Description of a preferred embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a price calculator is mounted on the column of a gasoline tank station and includes a register part 1, and a calculator part 2. Register part 1 has a first set of number wheels 3 for indicating the price of the dispensed amount of'fuel, and a second set of ordinal number wheels for indicating the volume or amount of dispensed fuel. Numbers in windows 5 indicate the price per gallon or liter.

The price calculator has a clearing device connected by a coupling 6, a shaft 7, and a linkage 8, 9, 10 with a control member 11 which serves as a rest or cradle for the discharge nozzle 12 at the end of a flexible hose 12a through which the fuel is discharged. Control member 11 is urged by a spring 11 to move to an operative position when the discharge nozzle 12 is removed for the purpose of dispensing fuel. When the discharge nozzle 12 rests on control member 11, the latter assumes a second position.

As shown in FIG. 2, a clearing segment 15 meshes with a pinion 16 operatively connected to a gear 14 which is connected by gear means, not shown, with the clearing means of the two sets of number wheels 3 and 4. When gear 14 is turned degrees, the registers 3 and 4 are cleared and assume a position indicating zero, as shown in FIG. 1. Pinion 16 is connected with gear 14 through a one-way clutch, not shown, so that the clearing is effected only during turning of clearing segment 15 which has an arm 17 to which the clearing spring 18 is secured. The other end of spring 18 is attached to a stationary wall so that clearing segment 15 is urged by the spring to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, if clearing spring 18 is tensioned. A lever arm 19 is fixedly connected with one part of coupling 6 and is connected by a link 20 having a slot 87, see also FIG. 3, with a blocking lever 21 which is mounted on a stationary pivot 22 for turning movement and is biased by a spring 23 to turn in clockwise direction to a position in which blocking portion 24 is located opposite a roller 25 carried by the clearing segment 15 so that in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, clearlng spring 18 cannot turn clearing segment 15 in counterclockwise direction about shaft 7.

In the position of FIG. 2 in which the discharge nozzle rests on control member 11, the same was turned clockwise to the illustrated position against the action of spring 11. The turning of control member 11 has caused turning of shaft 7 and coupling 6 through the linkage 10, 9, 8 so that lever arm 19 was also turned in clockwise direction, provided that certain operations were previously carried out as will be explained hereinafter. Clearing spring 18 is tensioned and biases clearing segment 15 to turn in counterclockwise direction.

When the discharge nozzle 12 is lifted ofl. control member 11, the same is turned by spring 11 so that shaft 7 turns lever 19 and causes angular displacement of blocking lever 24 which releases roller 25 so that clearing spring 18 can turn clearing segment 15 in counterclockwise direction and effect clearing of the registers 3 and 4 of the price calculator through pinion 16, a oneway clutch, not shown, and gear 14.

The above-described structure accomplishes the result that the clearing spring 18, which serves as a spring motor, is tensioned when the discharge nozzle is placed on its rest, and that the price and volume indicators are cleared when the discharge nozzle 12 is picked up from its rest for the purpose of dispensing fuel. During the dispensing operation, shaft 26 drives the calculator so that number wheels 3 and 4 indicate numerical values. Shaft 26 is connected to a flow meter, see FIG. 16, which is driven by the dispensed fuel in a conventional manner.

The clearing device of FIG. 2 is mounted on the left side of the register part 1 of the price calculator, and schematically indicated in FIG. 1 by coupling part 6. On the other side of the price calculator, a pair of vertical support walls 27 and 28, connected by spacing rods 29 and 30, are mounted by means of supporting brackets 31 and 32. A discharge control device, which will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, is mounted -between walls 27 and 28. A coin testing device 33 with a coin hopper 38 is mounted on the outside of wall 28. A coin receiving device 34 receives the tested coins and includes coin return means which permit under certain circumstances, the return of coins to the customer upon operation of a knob 35. Coins accepted by the coin receiving device, are deposited in the cash receptacle 34'. Another knob 37 controls a change over device by which the apparatus can be either set to an automatic vending operation in which the amount of fuel dispensed depends on the value of inserted coins, or to the usual operation in which an attendant dispenses fuel through the gas tank of a motor car is filled. Another knob 36 serves for opening a door in the coin testing device 33 for the purpose of removing jammed coins.

The unit number Wheel 3 of price indicator 3 is connected with a coupling part 39 cooperating with another coupling part on a shaft 40 which is also shown in the upper portion of FIG. 3. Shaft 40 controls the operation of the discharge control device in accordance with the position of the unit number wheel 3, as will be explained hereinafter. Another coupling 41 connects shaft 42 on which one part of coupling 6 is freely turnable, and to which the clearing segment is fixed, with a shaft 43, as shown in FIG. 3. Shaft 42 extends through the housing of the price calculator. Another coupling 44 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 transmits control movement of a lever 85 which is influenced by the clearing segment 15 and effects, together with other parts of the discharge control device operation of a motor switch 62 for starting the pump motor. Coupling 44 covers in FIG. 1 another coupling 45, see FIG. 3, which trans mits movement of the coin controlled discharge control device to the clearing device by means of a member 46, as will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 3 in which all parts are in the position assumed when the discharge nozzle 12 rests on control member 11 in the position of FIG. 2, and when the clearing spring 18 is tensioned, a motor switch 62, which controls the pump motor shown in FIG. 16, has a hermetically closed cylinder 62' in which a pair of contacts 63 is located. The opening and closing of the contacts is effected by movement of a permanent magnet 64 in a manner which is not an object of the present invention. Magnet 64 is secured to the longer arm 65 of an angular lever 66 which is mounted on a pivot 67 for turning movement and has a shorter lever arm 68 carrying a pin 69 which is located opposite a shoulder in a push rod 70 which is articulated to the arm 71 of an angular lever 72.

Lever 72 is secured to a shaft 73 and has a second arm 74 connected by a link 75 with another angular lever 76 mounted on a shaft 77. Another push rod 61 is connected by a pivot 79 with the longer arm 78 of lever 76. A bar 80 is articulated to the free end of arm 78. Angular lever 76 is fixed to shaft 77 which is connected by coupling 44 to a shaft 81 carrying a lever arm 82 which is coupled by link 83 to a double armed lever 85 which cooperates with a locking pawl 86 and is mounted on a shaft 84. A pin 88 carried by double armed lever 85 projects into slot 87 of link 20, and is located at one end of slot 87 in the position of FIG. 3 in which nozzle 12 rests on the control member 11 and clearing spring 18 is tensioned. A spring 89 biases lever to turn in clockwise direction about shaft 84, but such movement is prevented by locking pawl 86. A spring 91 biases locking pawl 86 to turn about pivot to the illustrated locking position in which locking portion 92 rests on end portion 85 of lever 85 and locks the same. The other arm of locking pawl 86 has a projection 86 cooperating with projection 15 of clearing segment 15.

When dispensing nozzle 12 is removed from control member 11, and blocking lever 24 releases roller 25 of clearing segment 15 so that the same is turned by clearing spring 18 in counterclockwise direction, projection 15' engages projection 86' and turns locking pawl 86 to a position releasing lever 85 for turning movement in clockwise direction under the action of spring 89 whereby shaft 81, coupling 44, and shaft 77 with angular lever 76 are turned, causing movement of push rods 61, 70 and 80 to the left as viewed in FIG. 3.

Shaft 73, which is operated from angular lever 76 through link 75 and angular lever 72, carries a fixed locking arm 93 abutting in the position of FIG. 3 on another locking arm 94 which is secured to a shaft 95. Consequently, the above-described operation of the push rods 70, 61 and 80 is only possible if locking arm 93 is not locked by lacking arm 94. Shaft 95 carries a fixed sensing lever 96 which is biased by spring 99 to turn in clockwise direction so that locking arm 94 abuts a stationary stop 100 while blocking movement of the locking arm 93. Two lever arms 101 and 102 are secured to the ends of shaft 95. Lever arm 102 carries a projecting pin 103 cooperating with an arresting latch 104 which is connected by a link 107 and a pin and slot connection 109, 110 with the fixed lever arm 108 of shaft 43 which is connected by coupling 41 and shaft 42 with clearing means 15.

Shaft 43 carries two other fixed arms 111 and 112. Arm 111 is connected by a link 113 and a pin and slot connection 115, 116 with a gear segment 114 which is turnable on a pivot 117 and has a gear segment 118 meshing with a pinion 119 of a timer 120. Timer gear segment 114 has an arm 121 with a transversely bent projection 122 whose function will be explained hereinafter. Timer gear 119 is fixed to a shaft 123 which carries a cam 124a.

The other lever arm 112 on shaft 43 is articulated to a link 124 having a slot 126 in which a pin carried by a lever 127 is located. Lever 127 is fixed to the discharge control shaft 128 which carries a control arm connected to a valve, not shown, through which the dispensed fuel flows. In accordance with the position of discharge control shaft 128, the dispensed amount of fuel is reduced, or the discharge is completely stopped.

A discharge control lever is secured to discharge control shaft 128 and is urged by spring 131 to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. A locking latch engages the arm 132 of discharge control lever and prevents turning of the same. The other arm of discharge control lever 130 has a cam follower portion 134 positioned to cooperate with a control cam 135 on control shaft 40. Locking latch 133 is pulled toward arm 132 by a spring 136, see FIGS. 9 to 11, and has a pin 138. The lower portion of locking latch 133 is broken off in FIG. 3, but FIGS. 9 to 11 show locking latch 133 mounted on a shaft 137 for movement between a locking position shown in FIG. 9, and releasing positions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in which discharge control lever 132 is free to turn in counterclockwise direction under the action of spring 131.

Control shaft 40 carries a fixed eccentric circular member located in a circular bore of a releasing member 139 so that the same performs during rotation of control shaft 40, a composite movement during which the end of releasing member 139 engages pin 138 of locking latch 133 and moves the same to the releasing position shown in FIG. against the action of spring 136. When releasing member 139 moves to the left to the position of FIG. 11, locking latch 133 follows such movement until engaging the end portion 132 of the released discharge control lever which is urged by its spring 131 to follow the contour of cam as soon as discharge control lever 132 is released by locking latch 133. Shaft 40 carries another fixed cam 177 which has two opposite symmetri cal cam portions, as best seen in FIG. 4. The function of cam 177 will be explained hereinafter, but it is of importance that cams 135 and 177 are both driven by control shaft 40 which is connected by coupling 39 to the calculator shaft which rotates in synchronism with the unit wheel 3'.

A stationary pivot 141 turna'bly supports a double armed lever 142 which has a cam follower pin 143 engaging a timer cam 124a which is secured to shaft 123 of timer 120 so that during operation of timer 120, lever 142 is angularly reciprocated and reciprocates a pull rod 144 which has two coupling pins 145 and 146 respectively cooperating with end portions of push rods 61 and 70 so that the same are angularly displaced about their pivot points on levers 76 and 71. However, pins 145 and 146 permit a longitudinal reciprocation of push rods 61 and 70 which slide on the pins.

The cam follower lever 142 also cooperates with a pin 127' secured to lever arm 127 which is fixed on discharge control shaft 128. In a certain angular position of discharge control shaft 128, pin 127' will engage cam follower lever 142 and turn the same about pivot 141 in clockwise direction to raise the end portions of push rods 61 and 70 by pull rod 144 and pins 145 and 146 so that the shoulders in the same are located above pins 60 and 69 permitting movement of magnet 64 to a position disconnecting contact 63, and causing movement of a locking pawl 46 to a position engaging portion 49 of lever 19, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

The operational positions of push rod 61, of lever arm 101 of shaft 95, and of releasing member 139 are partly influenced by the angular position of a change over shaft 147 which carries an arm 148 with a projecting pin 149 disposed under push rod 61. A bell crank lever 150 is also secured to shaft 147 and carries a pin 151 abutting lever arm 101 of shaft 95. A lever arm 153 fixed to shaft 147 has a pin 152 located under releasing member 139. An arm 150' of bell crank lever 150 extends in the same direction as lever arm 153, and it is connected by a pivot 156 with double armed lever 154 which is mounted on a shaft 155 and has another arm cooperating with the transversely bent projection 122 on arm 121 of timer gear segment 114.

While FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 to 11 illustrate the apparatus as viewed from the left of FIG. 1, FIGS. 4, 12 and 13 illustrate the apparatus as viewed from the right.

As shown in FIG. 4, the change over shaft 147 has a manually operable knob 37, also shown in FIG. 1. An arresting segment 157 has two notches cooperating with an arresting spring 158 so that the change over shaft can be manually set to one of two positions. In the position of shaft 147 illustrated in FIG. 4, the apparatus is set to dispense fuel automatically upon insertion of a coin. When knob 57 is turned a quarter turn to the other position in which spring 158 engages the upper notch in arresting segment 157, the apparatus is set to the conventional operation in which the attendant controls the dispensing of fuel and collects money from the customer.

Change over shaft 147 is only partly shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 4, it carries an angular lever 159 whose horizontal arm 160 carries a pin 161 projecting into a slot of a link 163 which is pivotally connected with a member 163' turnable about a shaft 164' and having an end portion 163". A spring acting on member 163' urges link 163 downward to the position in which pin 161 is located at the upper end of slot 162.

The vertical arm 159' of angular lever 159 is pivotally 8 connected with a pawl 164 whose hook 165 holds a pin 166 carried by an arresting lever 167 which is mounted on a pivot 168 for turning movement and is biased by spring 169 to turn in counterclockwise direction to the illustrated position in which pin 166 abuts the hook 165. Arresting lever 167 has an arresting portion 170 cooperating in another operational position with a pin 171 fixed to a connecting link 172.

The upper end of link 172 is pivotally suspended on the arm 173 of an angular lever 174 whose second arm 175 carries a cam follower roller 176 cooperating with cam 177 on control shaft 40, see also FIG. 3. Cam 177 has two diametrically disposed cam lobes so that angular cam follower lever 175 is'twice displaced about pivot 174 during each revolution of control shaft 40 which, as explained above, is driven through coupling 39 from a shaft of price calculator 1, 2 at the speed of the unit number wheel 3 of the price indicating register 3.

The lower end of connecting link 172 is pivotally connected with a lever arm 178 fixed to a shaft 179 which carries a coin transporting segment 180. A coin slide 186 has a fixed pin 185 cooperating with a recessed end portion 184 of a double armed lever 183 which is mounted on a pivot 182 and connected by another pivot 181' with a link 181 which is pivotally connected with coin transporting segment 180.

Coin slide 186 and coin transporting segment are illustrated in a simplified manner in FIG. 4 as if the apparatus were intended to be operated only by coins of one value. Actually, however, the apparatus will be adapted to handle coins of different value, thickness, and diameter. In the simplified illustration of FIG. 4, coin slide 186 has two spaced plates, between which the guide rails 189' of a chute are disposed. Only the rear plate 187 is illustrated in FIG. 4, and the front plate is omitted for the sake of clarity. The coin slide 186 is guided along its upper and lower edges by four guide rolls 188 for horizontal movement.

Coins inserted into the coin chute 189 slide and roll along the guide rails 189 and are temporarily stored in coin chute 189. Before entering the chute, the coins are tested by the coin testing device 33 shown in FIG. 1 so that no slugs or coins of lesser value can be used for operating the apparatus.

A spring 191 biases coin slide 186 to move to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which coin chute 189 is ahgned with the pocket in transporting segment 180. A pin 194 fixed to slide 186 is engaged by a lever arm 192 fixed to shaft 43 which, as described with reference to FIG. 3, is connected by coupling 41 to a shaft 42 connected with clearing means 15 so that the movement of dr1ve lever 192 depends on the operation of dispensing nozzle 12 which controls coupling 6 and shaft 42.

Shaft 43 carries a fixed lever arm 195 pivotally connected with one end of a link 196 whose other end has a slot in which a pin carried by a double armed lever 197 is located. Lever 197 is mounted for turning movement about a pivot 198 and is biased by a spring 199 to turn in clockwise direction to a position in which arm 197' engages pin 181 by which link 181 and lever 183 are connected. Spring 183 urges lever 183 to turn in counterclockwise direction into abutment with pin on slide 186, -while link 181 is pulled to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 to hold the coin transporting segment 180 in the illustrated position.

A coin supporting member 200 is mounted on a shaft 201 which is longitudinally shiftable. Coin supporting member 200 is also shown in FIGS. 3, 12 and 13. However, FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate several coin supporting members 200 spaced along shaft 201 and cooperating with a plurality of coin chutes designed for coins of different size and denomination. Each coin supporting member 200 is aligned with a coin transporting segment so that three coin transporting segments 180, 180/1, 180/2 are illustrated in FIG. 12. Each coin transporting segment has a coin pocket 220.

When coin slide 186 is moved to the right by drive lever 192, it assumes a position in which chute 189, 189/1, 189/2 are located above the top faces of coin supporting members 200, as shown in FIG. 3.

Shaft 201 carries a fixed cone 202 and has a compression spring 203 abutting a fixed wall and cone 202 for urging shaft 201 in one axial direction. Shaft 201 is guided in a slot 204 of a push rod 205 which has an angular end portion 206. Push rod 205 is pivotally mounted on a lever arm 207 secured to a coin return shaft 208 which has another fixed lever arm 209 pivotally connected with a pull rod 211 whose hook-shaped end 212 has an operative position located behind a pin 213 fixed to the plate 187 of coin slide 186.

Coin return shaft 208 is operated by a knob 35, see FIG. 1, which is connected to shaft 208 by coupling 214. Pull rod 211 can be raised by a pm 216 secured to lever arm 215 to a position in which the hook-shaped portion 212 is located above pin 213. Lever arm 215 is secured to a shaft 217 which is connected by a double armed lever 218 to rod 80 whose other end is connected with angular lever 76 which has been described with reference to FIG. 3, and is illustrated in the left upper corner of FIG. 4, rod 80 being shown broken off for the sake of simplicity.

Coin transporting segment 180 has a projection 221 which is located under the lower opening of coin chute 189 to prevent the dropping of coins when coin transporting segment 180 is turned in counterclockwise direction. The depth of each coin pocket 220 is selected so that the respective coin projects above the circumferential edge 180' of coin transporting segment 180, while the width of the coin pocket corresponds to the thickness of the coin for which it is designed. A sensing lever 223 is fixed to a shaft 222 and carries a feeler roller 224 turnably on a stud 225. Feeler roller 224 is located in the path of movement of the projecting coin portion of a coin in a coin pocket 220, so that lever 223 is turned when transporting segment 180 is angularly displaced in counterclockwise direction. Shaft 222 carries a lever arm 226, see FIGS. to 7 which transmits the angular movement of sensing lever 223 through a link 227 to a lever arm 228 secured to a shaft 229 carrying two fixed segments 231 and 231 having peripheral ratchet teeth 230. A spring 232 is attached to segment 231 and biases the same to turn in clockwise direction until abutting a stop 233. The other segment 231', which has exactly the same shape as segment 231, is fixed to shaft 229 angularly offset to segment 231 half the pitch of the ratchet teeth 230 so that the ratchet teeth of the two segments are staggered.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, two ratchet pawls 235 and 236 cooper-ate, respectively, with the teeth of ratchet segments 231 and 231'. Springs 236', of which only one is shown, bias the ratchet pawls 235, 235, to turn about shaft 234 into a position engaging the ratchet teeth 230. In order to separate the ratchet pawls 235, 236 from the ratchet segments, each ratchet pawl has an arm 235' cooperating with the pin 237 of a pull rod 238, as shown in FIG. 7. Pull rod 238 has a second pin 239 which cooperates, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, with arm 139 of the releasing member 139 which cooperates With the locking latch 133, see also FIG. 3. Pull rod 238 is connected by a pivot 241 with a lever arm 240 secured to shaft 43 which, as has been described with reference to FIG. 3, is connected by a coupling 41 to shaft 42 on which the clearing segment 15 is mounted, and which is connected by a coupling and a linkage to the discharge nozzle 12, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

When by turning of coin transporting segment 180 with a coin 190, sensing lever 223 is turned, the motion is transmitted by lever arm 226, link 227, and lever arm 228 to ratchet segments 231 and 231' so that the same turn in counterclockwise direction a certain angular distance depending on the dimensions of coin 190. Lever arms 223, 226, 228 are designed and constructed so that ratchet segments 231, 231' turn a predetermined multiple of tooth pitch angles, so that the angular displacement of the ratchet segments represents the monetary value of the sensed coin 190. Ratchet segments 231, 231' are arrested in a new position by pawls 235, 236 and held against the force of spring 232.

Shaft 40, see FIGS. 3, 4, and 9 to 11, carries, in addi tion to cams and 177, two angularly displaced lugs 242 and 243 which successively engage pawls 235 and 236 during rotation of control shaft 40 so that pawls 235, 236 successively release the ratchet teeth 230 of segments 231, 231 so that the same can turn during each revolution of control shaft 40, an angle corresponding to the tooth pitch.

Shaft 229 of segments 231, 231' carries two fixed lever arms 244 and 245 having pins 246 and 247. Pin 246 on lever arm 244 is located under releasing member 139, and pin 247 of lever arm 245 abuts a radial edge of a sector-shaped member 248 which has a circular shoulder 249 and is freely mounted on shaft 229. A spring 136, which also acts on locking latch 133, see FIGS. 9 and 11, urges sector-shaped member 248 to turn in counterclockwise direction. A radial finger 250 projects from the shoulder 249 and cooperates with a pin 173' on the arm 173 of cam follower lever 175 whose roller 176 cooperates with double cam 177 on control shaft 40, as best seen in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 comprises the basic parts required for a fully automatic coin controlled apparatus which obtains dispensing of an amount of fuel commensurate to the value of the inserted coins, and which stops the discharge of fuel when the value of the dispensed fuel corresponds to the value of the inserted coin, but the illustration of FIGS. 1 to 11 is limited to the operation by a single coin and consequently schematic. In order to use different coins having values of one, two or five monetary units, such as DM, additional parts illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 are required. The structure illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described hereinafter in greater detail since the parts are particularly related to the selection between different coins, and to a sequence of the removal of the different coins from different coin chutes in which they are stored. The function of the apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 will now be described.

The most important control element of the apparatus is the discharge nozzle 12, and control member 11 operated by the same. The positions of control member 11 determine all other functions of the apparatus.

Even the change over device which includes parts 37, and 147 to 171 by which the discharge control device is rendered operative, or disconnected, is influenced by the position of the control member 11. The operation of timer 12.0 is also influenced by control member 11, but in certain operational conditions, the timer has an influence on control member 11.

Another important control element is sensing lever 96, described with reference to FIG. 3 which senses whether coins are present in chute 189.

Assuming that the apparatus is set to permit discharge of fuel bought by the insertion of coins, and consequently to automatic termination of the fuel discharge when the bought amount of fuel has been dispensed, all parts are in the position shown in FIG. 4, provided that the customer who was the last to use the apparatus has placed the discharge nozzle 12 on its rest so that control member 11 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the clearing spring 18 is tensioned, and the roller 25 of clearing segment 15 abuts arm 24 of blocking lever 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 85 of lever 85 is engaged by locking pawl 86 so that lever 85 is locked. Coin slide 186 is in a position in which the upper opening of coin chute 189 is located exactly under the lower end of the chute of coin testing device 33.

If a customer inserts coins into the hopper 38 of coin testing device 33, the same are tested to reject slugs, and the coins drop into coin chute 189 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Coin slide 186 is in a position in which the lower end of coin chute 189 is closed by coin supporting member 200 so that a number of coins can accumulate in coin chute 189.

After the insertion of the coins, the customer picks up the discharge nozzle 12 so that control member 11 is turned by spring 11' in counterclockwise direction about pivot pin 13. Turning of control member 11 effects through linkage 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 42, turning of lever arm 19 so that link 20 is moved upward, as best seen in FIG. 2, and turns blocking lever 24 to a position releasing roller 25 so that clearing spring 18 turns clearing segment 15 in counterclockwise direction so that the rotary motion is transmitted through pinion 16 and a one-way clutch, not shown, to gear 14 which is connected to the price calculator to clear the registers 3 and 4 so that the same assume a position indicating zero, as shown in FIG. 1. The clearing of registers 3 and 4 is controlled so that the same are cleared before the end of the turning movement of clearing segment 15 so that the further turning movement of the same can be used to effect engagement between projection 15' thereon and projection 86' of locking pawl 86 so that the same is turned about pivot 90 and releases lever 85 which turns in clockwise direction under the action of spring 89. Since coupling 6 is freely turnable on shaft 42, and clearing segment 15 is fixedly connected with shaft 42, the latter is turned only when blocking lever 24 releases roller 25 and permits turning movement of clearing segment 15.

During the turning movement of clearing segment 15, the following operations take place.

Lever arm 192, see FIG. 4, releases coin slide 186 for movement under the action of spring 191, so that the coin slide moves from its position of rest in which the coin chute 189 is closed by coin supporting member 200, to the operative position shown in FIG. 4 in which the pocket 220 in the coin transporting segment 180 is aligned with the outlet of the coin chute 189. This movement causes turning of sensing lever 96 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, corresponding to the movement to the right of coin 190 engaging feeler pin 97. Sensing lever 96 turns shaft 95 with locking arm 94 which releases locking arm 93 on shaft 73.

During the turning of clearing segment 15, shaft 42 turns shaft 43 through coupling 41 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, and in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that lever 192 is turned in clockwise direction to permit movement of pin 194 on coin slide 186 to the left as viewed in FIG. 4 under the action of spring 191. During the turning of shaft 43, in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, lever arm 108 shifts arresting latch 104 through link 107 so that shoulder 104 engages pin 103 of lever 102 which was turned in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 due to the turning of sensing lever 96 with shaft 95 during displacement of the coin slide to the right as viewed in FIG. 3. Consequently, lever 102 is locked by latch 104, and locking arm 94 is arrested in the releasing position permitting turning movement of arm 93 with shaft 73. The turning of shaft 95 with levers 94, 96 and 102 takes place before locking pawl 86 is actuated by clearing segment 15 to release lever 85 whose release takes place only after the clearing of the registers 3 and 4 of the price calculator. Consequently, the turning movement of lever 85 under the action of spring 89, can be transmitted through the linkage 83, 82, 81, coupling 44, and shaft 77 to the angular lever 76, and through link 75 to angular lever 71 so that push rods 61 and 70 are moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 3. Such a movement is not possible as long as locking arm 94 of shaft 95 prevents turning movement of shaft 73 by engaging locking arm 93 thereon. The turning clearing segment 15 turns through shaft 43 first lever 192 to permit the movement of the coin slide which is followed by sensing lever 96 and locking arm 94, whereupon clearing segment releases locking pawl 86 to permit the movement of push rod 61, under the action of spring 89 which involves turning of shaft 73 which is possible due to the movement of locking arm 94 with shaft 95 to an inoperative position.

Push rod 70 is moved by lever 71, and push rods 61 and 80 are moved by levers 76, 78. Push rod 70 engages with its shoulder pin 69 of angular lever 66 whose lever arm 65 carries the permanent magnet 64 which is shifted along the housing of switch 62 and effects closing of contacts 63 which are connected into the circuit of the motor driving the fuel pump, shown in FIG. 16, so that the pump starts to dispense fuel. While a magnetically operated switch is shown, it will be appreciated that any other type of switch can be operated by arm 65.

At the same time, push rod 61 engages with its shoulder pin 60 on lever arm 59 so that shaft 58 is turned and transmits its turning movement through coupling 45 to shaft 57 which turns lever arm 56 in counterclockwise direction. Pin 55 effects turning of lever 51 so that its hook 52 abutting pin 53 turns latch 46 in counterclockwise direction to release projection 49 of lever arm 19.

In the initial position of the coin slide 186, partly shown in FIG. 3, and before the discharge nozzle 12 was removed and the above operations have taken place, pin 185 on the coin slide 186 holds the lever 183 against the action of spring 183 in a position in which link 181 holds the coin transporting segment in an end position turned in counterclockwise direction to the left as viewed in FIG. 4 so that the projection 221 is located at the lower end of coin chute 189. During the clearing movement of clearing segment 15, coin slide 186 is moved from the right to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, as explained above. At first, lever 183 with link 181 cannot follow pin 185 and coin slide 186 since the locking arm 197 of lever 197, controlled by lever arm on the turning shaft 43 and by link 196, releases pin 181' of link 181 only after the clearing of the registers 3 and 4 has been completed. Clearing segment 15 with shaft 43 then turns to an angular position in which lever arm 195, link 196 and lever 197 release pin 180 and permit spring 183' to turn lever 183 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 toward pin 185 which has advanced in the meantime together with the coin slide. This turning movement of lever 183 pulls link 181 to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 so that the coin transporting segment 180 is turned in clockwise direction to a position in which pocket 220 is aligned with a lower end of coin chute 189, permitting the lowermost coin to drop into the pocket 220.

The delay of the movement of coin transporting segment 180 to the operative position for receiving a coin, has the purpose to hold cam follower roller 176 of lever 173, 175 in a position spaced from cam 177 so that control shaft 40 can freely turn during the clearing operation which is necessary since control shaft 40 is connected with a number wheel 3' of the lowest order which may turn during the clearing operation. When registers 3 and 4 of the price calculator have been returned to zero positions, double cam 177 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which a lower cam portion is located opposite cam follower roller 176, and when the locking action of lever arm 197' has been terminated by turning lever 197 from shaft 43, as explained above, and coin transporting segment 180 turns in clockwise direction, shaft 179 is turned by coin transporting segment 180 to a position in which linkage 178, 172, 173 turns the cam follower roller 176 into engagement with cam 177 at the 13 point of the cam track where the rise of the upper lobe begins. Since during a following fuel dispensing operation, price register 3 will turn, shaft 40 which is connected with the same, will turn cam 177 and effect a turning movement of coin transporting segment 180 by engaging cam follower means 175, 176.

Before dis-charge nozzle 12 was removed from its rest in control member 11, it was previously placed on the same which had caused turning of clearing segment 15 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 and tensioning of clearing spring 18. Due to the provision of a one-way clutch, not shown, between pinions 16 and gear 14, the price indicating position of register 3 was not changed during the clockwise displacement of clearing segment 15. However, shaft 43 was turned in clockwise direction, and turned discharge control shaft 128 through linkage 112, 124, and 127 to a position in which discharge control lever 130, shown in the upper portion of FIG. 3, is locked by locking latch 133. Consequently, cam 135 on the calculator controlled shaft 40 is not engaged by the cam follower portion 134 of discharge cont-r01 lever 132, and shaft 40 can freely turn during the clearing operation after discharge nozzle 12 has been removed from control member 11. During the turning movement of clearing segment 15 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 for clearing the registers 3 and 4, shaft 43 turns in counterclockwise direction, and lever 112 pulls link 124 down which, however, has no influence on the position of lever 127 and discharge control shaft 128 due to the lost motion connection between slot 126 in link 124 and pin 125 on lever 127.

It is necessary to wind up the timer 120 so that a time period of 3 minutes, for example, is available for the dispensing operation. This requires turning of timer gear segment 114 to the position shown in FIG. 3. This is accomplished when the discharge nozzle 12 is returned by a customer to its rest on control member 11 after the completion of a dispensing operation. When control member 11 is turned to the position shown in FIG. 2, and clearing segment 15 is turned in clockwise direction, as explained above, shaft 43 also turns in clockwise direction and turns lever arm 111 which is connected by link 113 to pin 115 on timer gear segment 114, so that the latter is turned and winds up timer 120' through gear 123. Thus, timer 120 is wound up when a new customer removes the discharge nozzle 12 from its seat in control member 11. During the following clearing operation while clearing segment 15 and shaft 43 turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, link 113 is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 so that pin 115 is located at the other end of slot 116 whereby timer gear segment 114 is unlocked, and timer 120' can turn gear 123 which turns timer gear segment 114 in counterclockwise direction with its pin 115 moving along slot 116. After the above-described preliminary operations which are controlled by the discharge nozzle 12, switch 62 is closed, and the discharge of fuel by the motor driven pump, shown in FIG. 16, begins.

When switch 62 energizes the pump motor, the discharge of fuel starts through a control valve and the discharge nozzle 12. Register 4 indicates the discharged volume in gallons or liters, and register 3 indicates the price of the discharged fuel. Since shaft 40 is connected to the lowest number wheel 3' of register 3, it starts turning so that cam 177, which is already engaged by cam follower roller 176, immediately turns the angular cam follower lever 175 about its pivot 174'. Link 172 is moved upward so that shaft 179 is turned by lever arm 178, and turns coin transporting segment 180 to the left in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4. The coin 190 in pocket 220 engages roller 225 during such movement, and displaces lever 223- an angle depending on the diameter of the coin. Successive operational positions of coin 190 and sensing lever 223 are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 which are viewed from the opposite side so that transporting segment is shown to turn in clockwise direction.

The movement of sensing lever 223 is transmitted by shaft 222, and the linkage 226, 227, 228 to the toothed segments 231, 231' which are turned in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 5 to 7, an angular distance corresponding to the diameter of the coin. Pawls 235, 236 lock the toothed wheels 231, 231' in the new position so that the angular displacement of the segments 231, 231 represents the diameter and thereby the value of the sensed coin in pocket 220. After segments 231, 231' are arrested, the movement of coin transporting segment 180 is continued with coin so that the same moves beyond roller 224 of sensing lever 223 and drops out of the laterally open pocket 220 and into the cash receptacle 34 shown in FIG. 1.

Assuming that the coin 190 shown in FIG. 6 is a two German mark piece, segments 231, 231 turn an angular distance corresponding to two teeth so that a value representing two monetary units is stored in the same. Consequently, segments 231, 2-31 are storage means for storing the monetary value of :a coin received by the machine.

During the storing of the received value, several operations take place which will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, l0 and 11.

Shaft 229, turning with storage segments 231, 231' turns lever 244 with pin 246 so that the same displaces releasing member 139 to the position shown in FIG. 9. Due to the turning of lever arm 245 with pin 247 with shaft 229, sector-shaped member 248 is free to turn in counterclockwise direction under the action of spring 136 so that shoulder 249 moves under pin 173 of lever arm 173, as :shown in FIG. 9. Pin 173' and shoulder 249 prevent a return of the coin transporting segment 180 from its coin discharging position to its initial position, since link 172 is held in its upper position. Consequently, pin 173' moves into engagement with shoulder 249 every time when a lobe of the double mm 177 has passed cam follower roller 176 provided that a value is stored.

The lugs 242, 243, see FIG. 8, tum together with the double cam 177 with shaft 40, and each lug engages pins 235" of pawls 235, 236, once during each revolution of shaft 40 so that each pawl 235, 236 releases the storage segments 231, 231' once during each revolution of shaft 40. Consequently, during each revolution of control shaft 40, corresponding to one revolution of number wheel 3', the value stored in storage segments 231, 231 is reduced by one unit, corresponding to the pitch of teeth 230, since the release by each pawl 235, 236 permits turning movement of the storage segments for half the pitch distance under the action of spring 232.

The two lugs 242 and 243 are angularly disposed on control shaft 40 to effect one step of the storage segments 231' corresponding to one monetary unit when control shaft 40 has turned about one-third of a complete revolution. Directly following the last step of the storage segments 231, 231, the second lobe of the double cam 177 engages cam follower roller 176 of angular cam follower lever 174 and thus causes an angular displacement of coin transporting segment 180 tin clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 5 to 7. During the last step of storage segments 231, 231', pin 247 of lever arm 245 turns sector-shaped member 248 with shoulder 249 under pin 173' of lever arm 173 to a releasing position so that the coin transporting segment 180 can assume its coin receiving position under the action of spring 183', as shown in FIG. 4.

If another coin was in a position of readiness in coin chute 189 of coin slide 186, the same drops into pocket 220 so that the above-described operations are repeated, and the value of the second coin is stored in the storage segments 231, 231'. The return of coin transporting segment 180 to the coin receiving position shown in FIG. 4,

and the transport of the second coin past sensing lever 223 and to the discharge position takes place during the following third of the first started revolution of control shaft 40.

During this operation, releasing member 139 is located in front of pin 138, but releasing member 139 is turned upward by pin 246 of lever arm 244 before releasing member 139 can engage pin 138 during its forward movement, so that releasing member 139 passes pin 138 during its forward movement in an idle motion.

The above-described operations are repeated until all inserted coins have been successively transported by coin transporting segment 180 into the cash receptacle so that storage device 231, 231' has made its last step and is in a position representing the credit value of the inserted coin transported into the cash receptacle.

During the following transporting movement of transporting segment 180, sensing lever 223 is not operated because no coin is located in pocket 220. Consequently, releasing member 139 remains in the effective lower position located in front of pin 138, and engages the same during its forward movement due to the action of eccentric member 140 on control shaft 40 so that locking latch 133 is pushed to a releasing position in which its locking projection 133 releases arm 132 of discharge control lever 130 which is turned by spring 131 to a position in which its nose 134 engages cam 135 substantially in the position shown in FIG. 10. Discharge control lever 132 is thus permitted to move a predetermined angle from the position of FIG. 9 to the position of FIG. 10, and operates through shaft 128 and discharge control arm 129, the control valve through which the discharged fuel flows so that the flow of a dispensed fuel is throttled.

=During further turning movement of control shaft 40, the cam follower nose 134 slides on the radially descending cam track of cam 135, and effects a gradual closing movement of the discharge valve. When cam 135 assumes the position shown in FIG. 11, nose 134 drops along a radial shoulder of the cam track, and discharge control lever 132 is quickly moved to its end position causing complete closing of discharge valve.

During the turning movement of discharge control lever 132 while nose 134 moves from the greater radius to the smaller radius of cam 135, pin 127' of lever arm 127 of discharge control shaft 128, has engaged and turned lever 142 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 so that pins 145 and 146 of pull rod 144 raise push rods 61 and 70 to a higher position in which the shoulders thereof do not cooperate with pins and 69 of levers 59 and 68, so that on one hand the linkage means 59, 45, 57, 56, 55, 52, 53, 46 is turned by spring 50 to the position in which latch 48 engages projection 49 of lever 19, while on the other hand angular lever 68, is released to move magnet 64 downward so that contacts 63 of motor control switch 62 are separated, and the pump motor and pump stop. The dispensing operation is completed.

During the dispensing operation, the inserted coins were successively sensed by sensing lever 223, and their value successively stored in the storage means 231, 231 which is turned angular steps corresponding to the monetary value of each inserted and sensed coin. At the same time, during each revolution of control shaft 40, pawls 235, 236 are operated to permit the return to storage means 231, 231 one step in the opposite direction under the action of spring 232 whenever the unit number wheel of the price indicating register turns one revolution together with shaft 40 since during each revolution, lugs 242, 243 operate pawls 235, 236 to permit the movement of the storing means 231, 231' by which the indicated value is deducted from the stored and credited value. Instructions are posted near the discharge nozzle 12 requiring the customer to return the discharge nozzle to its rest so that control member 11 is returned to its normal position. Clearing segment 15 is turned to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 whereby clearing spring 18 is tensioned and blocking lever 24 is placed opposite roller 25.

The clockwise turning of clearing segment 15 causes turning of shaft 43 and angular displacement of the lever arms 108, 111 and 112 described with reference to FIG. 3. Lever arm 108 pulls arresting latch 104 through link 107 to a position releasing pin 103 of lever arm 102 so that sensing lever 96 is turned by a spring 99 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, and locking arm 94 is turned by shaft to its upright locking position engaging pin 100.

The second lever arm 111 on shaft 43' acts through link 113 on pin 115 of timer gear segment 121 so that the spring of timer is again tensioned.

Lever arm 112 turns lever 127 through link 124 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 so that shaft 128 with discharge control arm 129 are turned together with discharge control lever 130, 132, 134 until the latter is locked by locking latch 133.

When discharge nozzle 12 was placed on control member 11, releasing member 139 was turned by pin 238 of pull rod 238 to a position in which releasing member 139 has no influence on pin 138 of locking latch 133. At the same time, the displacement of pull rod 238 causes by pin 237 turning of locking pawls 235, 236 to an inoperative position releasing storang segments 231, 231. Pull rod 238 is operated by lever 240 on shaft 43, as best seen in FIG. 9, and as explained above, shaft 43 is turned when dispensing nozzle 12 is returned to control member 11.

The same turning movement of shaft 43 elfects tuming of lever arm 192 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that pin 194 is engaged, and coin slide 186 is moved to the right to the position in which the lower end of chute 189 is again located on the support 200, as shown in FIG. 3.

When the coin slide 186 is returned to the right as viewed in FIG. 4, its pin engages lever 183 so that transporting segment 180 is turned in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 to a position in which the coin pocket 200 is no longer aligned with the chute.

The same turning movement of shaft 43 causes turning of lever arm 195 so that motion is transmitted through link 196 to lever 197 so that the locking arm 197 again assumes a position behind pin 181' of lever 183.

Lever 85 is operated by link 20 through the pin and slot coupling 87, 88 so as to be engaged and locked by locking pawl 86.

In this manner, all parts of the apparatus are returned to normal inoperative position in which it was before a customer removed the discharge nozzle 12 from control member 11, and it will be seen that the resetting of the apparatus is effected by placing the discharge nozzle 12 on control member 11. In the event that the customer, after using the discharge nozzle, does not return the same to its proper rest, but leaves the discharge nozzle lying on the ground, it is necessary that the next customer returns the discharge nozzle 12 to control member 11.

However, in the event that a customer has not dispensed the entire amount of fuel for which he has paid by insertion of coins, and that the pump was not automatically switched off, as explained above, timer 120 effects a switching off of the pump motor, shown in FIG. 16, after a short period of time.

Timer cam 124a is operated by timer 120 so that pin 143 of cam follower lever 142 is raised so that the two push rods 61 and 70 are lifted off pins 69 and 61 in the same manner as takes place during the automatic termination of the fuel discharge explained above.

In this event, the next customer must first place the discharge nozzle 12 on control member 11, and then take the discharge nozzle out again. If the customer does not proceed in this manner, and inserts coins while the discharge nozzle 12 is not located on control member 11, the inserted coins do not drop through the coin testing device 33 into the coin chute 189 of coin slide 186, but fall into a coin return chute.

Coin return The coin return means, which is illustrated in FIG. 4, is constructed for two specific situations.

(1) A customer notices directly after insertion of coins and before he has taken the discharge nozzle off its rest on control member 11, that he has inserted more coins than necessary, and wishes to have the coins returned in order to insert coins having a smaller monetary value.

(2) During the dispensing of the fuel, the tank in the vehicle is completely filled before the entire amount of fuel corresponding to the value of the inserted coins has been discharged. This may happen due to a wrong indication of the fuel amount in the gas tank of the vehicle, and it is desirable that the excess coins inserted by the customer are returned to the same.

In the first situation, in which a customer has inserted more money than necessary, the coin slide 186 is in its initial position displaced to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 so that all coins rest on support 200. When knob 35, see FIG. 1, is returned, shaft 208 with which knob 35 is connected by a coupling 214, turns lever arm 207 in clockwise direction so that rod 205, 206 is pulled to the right. The slanted portion 206 engages the conical guide face of cone 202 and displaces shaft 201 in axial direction against the action of spring 203 so that support 200 is laterally displaced and opens the lower end of coin chute 189 so that all previously inserted coins 190 in the coin chute 189 drop out of the same and into a coin return chute, not shown, whose open end is accessible to the customer.

In the second situation in which the dispensing nozzle 12 was already removed from its rest on control member 11, and the dispensing operation was started, coin slide 186 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4. It is now necessary to move the coin slide back to its normal inoperative position by operation of knob 35.

Knob 35 turns through coupling 214, shaft 208, so that lever arm 209 pulls pull rod 211 to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 whereby hook 212 engages pin 213 on coin slide 186 and pulls the latter to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 to its normal inoperative position in which the coin chute is located above support 200.

However, the customer must be compelled to return discharge nozzle 12 to control member 11 before the coin return knob 35 is operated. Pull rod 211 is normally held by a pin 216 of a lever arm 215 on shaft 217 in a position in which hook 212 cannot engage pin 213. Lever arm 215 is secured to shaft 217 connected to double armed lever 218 which is connected by rod 80 to angular lever 76, see FIG. 3, and the left upper corner of FIG. 4. Lever 76 is connected by link 75 to angular lever 72 which operates push rod 70 by which the operation of the motor switch 62 is controlled. Only if the returned discharge nozzle 12 has effected switching off of the pump motor, and corresponding displacement of push rod 70 and linkage 71, 75, 76, rod 80 is in a position in which shaft 217 with lever 215 and pin 216 is turned to a position permitting the hook 212 of pull rod 211 to engage pin 213 of coin slide 186 to establish a coupling between the coin slide and the manually operated coin return knob 35.

In the event that the dispensing operation is interrupted before the last inserted coin is sensed, credited, and collected, and before the dispensing valve is automatically closed, the latch 46 has not yet engaged and locked lever arm 19 so that upon return of the discharge nozzle to control member 11, the clearing segment is not turned, :and coin slide 186 is not returned to its normal inoperative position on the right of FIG. 4, so that a monetary value stored in storing segments 231,

231' remains stored, and is not cleared. This makes it possible for the customer to take out the discharge nozzle again and to fill another container with the fuel which is still due to him. However, the customer must pick up the returned discharge nozzle again before timer has run out and complete the second dispensing operation, because in this event rod 144, operated by cam 124a, moves push rod 70 away from pin 69 of switch lever 66 and permits switch 62 to shut off the pump motor. Under such circumstances, the motor can only be started again if the price indicator and the credit storing segments 231, 231 have been cleared.

The dependency of the operation of the coin return means on the return of dispensing nozzle has the purpose to assure return of the dispensing nozzle to control member 11 at least when the customer wants money re turned. If the customer does not operate knob 35 to return the coins still located in the coin chute 189, the amount will be credited to the next customer. However, the next customer must pick up the dispensed nozzle and return the same again in order to render the apparatus operative by tensioning the clearing spring 18 so that after a second removal of the dispensing nozzle from control member 11, the clearing segment 15 accomplishes the clearing of the price calculator and of any credit stored in the storage means 231, 231.

In the above described coin return situation 2, a coin 190 may be located in pocket 220 of coin transporting segment when the customer operates knob 35 of the coin return means. The retraction of coin slide 186 to its normal inoperative position according to FIG. 3, which is effected by turning coin return knob 35, effects the entering of the value of the coin into the credit storage means 231, 231' which are turned a corresponding angular distance for a number of teeth determined by the diameter of the coin acting on sensing lever 223. During this movement of coin slide 186 from its left position to its right position, as viewed in FIG. 4, coin transporting segment 180 is moved by rod 181 through the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. If the customer turns coin return knob 35 very fast, it is possible that sensing lever 223 moves due to inertia beyond its proper position so that the storage segments 231, 231 are turned one or two pitch angles beyond the position in which the value of the coin in the pocket 220 of transporting segment 180 is properly stored and credited. This would render it possible for the customer to receive a greater amount of fuel than he paid for. To prevent such undesirable occurrence, a safety device illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 in two different positions, is provided.

Shaft 222, on 'which sensing lever 223 is fixed, carries a freely turnable lever arm 255 biased by a spring 256 to engage a connecting pin 227' by which rod 227 is pivotally connected with lever arm 226. When coin transporting segment 180 moves a coin under sensing lever 223 and displaces the same, pin 227' displaces lever arm 225 on shaft 222 in counterclockwise direction.

Shaft 179 of coin transporting segment 180 carries a fixed segment 258 which has two circular shoulders 259 and 260 spaced from each other in radial direction which transversely project from the main body of segment 258 and cooperate with a pin 257 on lever arm 255 as shown in FIG. 15 which illustrates a position in which a coin 190 having the value of two monetary units, such as two German marks, has displaced sensing lever 223 so that storage segments 231, 231' are turned an angle corresponding to two pitch distances whereupon pawls 235, 236 have arrested the storage segments in this position. If sensing lever 223 is turned such an angle, pin 227' has turned lever 255 with pin 257 to a position ahnost engaging shoulder 260 of segment 258 which turns with shaft 178 and coin transporting segment 180. At normal operating speed, pin 257 will not engage shoulder 260. However, if sensing lever 223 is thrown by rapid oper- 19 ation of knob 35 and transporting segment 188 to a position lifted off coin 19th, pin 257 abuts shoulder 260 and prevents a further angular displacement of sensing lever 223 by blocking further movement of pin 227' which abuts lever arm 255 and prevents undesired excessive turning movement of the storage segments 231, 231'.

Shoulder 268 is disposed to cooperate with pin 257 when a coin having the value of two German marks is used. Shoulder 259 serves the same purpose but is operative when a coin representing one German mark is used. Shoulder 259 extends through a smaller arc than shoulder 260 since the diameter of the respective coin is smaller so that the displacement of sensing lever 223 is started later.

The storage segments 231, 231 have five teeth 230, which means that a coin having a monetary value of five German marks can be used to displace the storage segments five pitch distances so that the customer is credited with a corresponding value. When such larger coins are used, the safety device against excessive inertia movement of sensing lever 223 and storage means 231, 231', is ineffective. Due to the greater diameter of the five DM (German marks), coin, the angular displacement of sensing lever 223 upon turning of coin transporting segment 180 and of segment 258 is so great that, when shoulder 260 arrives at the path of movement of pin 257, the same is already located below the same. Since the capacity of the storage means 231, 231 is limited to five German marks, it is not necessary to adapt the safety device for use with five DM coins.

Change over device The above described apparatus ecects the automatic dispensing of fuel according to the monetary value of inserted coins, and determination of the dispensing operation when the price calculator, under the control of the discharged fuel, indicate the monetary value of the inserted coins. However, the automatic operation without the assistance of an attendant is preferably only used at nighttime, while during hours of peak traffic, it is preferred to control the dispensing operation by an attendant, saving the customers the trouble of finding a suitable number of coins and handling the discharge nozzle. In accordance with the invention, a change over device is provided which permits either use of the above-described fuel vending apparatus, or disconnection of this apparatus and operating of the fuel pump and discharge nozzle under the control of an attendant. In the latter event, the automatic function of the fuel vending apparatus must not interfere with the operations carried out by the attendant.

For setting the apparatus from automatic operation to manual control, change over knob 37 is turned about a quarter turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that arresting spring 158 engages the upper notch in arresting sector 157 instead of the lower notch. Consequently, change over shaft 147 is angularly dis placed which causes the following operations:

Lever arm 159' of angular lever 159 moves pawl 164 to the right, permitting spring 165 to turn arresting lever 167 with pin 166 to a position in which arresting portion 178 is located under pin 171 of connecting link 172 by which the coin transporting segment 180 is operated. Consequently arm 175 of angular cam follower lever 174 cannot follow the track of double cam 177 since cam follower roller 176 is spaced from cam 177. Lever arm 153 on change over shaft 147 is moved to a position in which its pin 152 raises the releasing member 139 above pin 136 of locking latch 133 so that discharge control lever 132 remains locked, and prevents operation of the discharge valve by discharge control arm 129. Arm 153 and shaft 147 turn in clockwise direction with bell crank lever 150 so that arm 101 is turned in counterclockwise direction and shaft 95 turns locking arm 94 to an inoperative position in which it does not prevent turning of arm 93 on shaft 73 so that arm 94 has no influence on the operation of switch 62 by push rod 78 which accomplishes the automatic starting of the pump motor. On the other hand, lever arm of lever 150 turns lever 154 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 so that its longer left arm engages the transverse projection 122 of timer gear segment 114 and thereby arrests timer 120.

Pin 149 of lever arm 148 raises push rod 61 ofl? pin 68 of lever arm 59, so that latch 46 may remain in engagement with projection 49 0f lever 19.

Lever arm of angular lever 159, which acts through pin 161 in slot 162 on link 163, turns the double armed lever 163' shown in the top portion of FIG. 4, in clockwise direction so that the projection 163" of lever 163' which acts on a guide flap, not shown, in coin testing device 33, so that all inserted coins freely fall into the coin return chute from which they may be removed by a customer erroneously inserting coins in this position of the change over knob 37.

Since it is possible that good coins, as well as slugs, are jammed in the coin testing device 33, link 163 is provided with a pin 265 which can be raised by a lever arm 266 fixed to a shaft 267 of a control knob 36. If a coin or any other object thrown into the hopper 38 of the coin testing device 33 jams the chute of the same, knob 36 is turned in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 for opening the above-described guide flap in the coin chute of the coin testing device for removal of the jamming object. A slot 162 in link 163 in which pin 161 on arm 160 of angular lever 159 is located, permits the raising of link 163 by knob 36.

In certain countries, regulations concerning gasoline stations are in force which require the dispensing of at least two liters of gasoline in any sale. In the event that the price for two liters of fuel is higher than the value of the smallest coin which may be used in the apparatus, the sensing lever 96, see FIG. 3, must be designed to permit the operation of motor switch 62 only if a coin, or coins, having the value of at least two of the smallest coins are inserted. For this purpose, sensing lever 98 has two feeler pins 97 and 98 which are spaced different radial distances from the axis of sensing lever 96 represented by shaft 95. The pin 97 which has the shorter lever arm cooperates with a coin chute into which the smallest coins are dropped, and is spaced from support 200 such a distance that pin 97 is engaged by the second coin in the respective chute. Feeler pin 98 cooperates with two other coin chutes, partly shown in FIG. 12, in which two DM and five DM coins are, respectively, deposited. Since feeler pin 98 has a greater lever arm than feeler pin 97, it senses the lowermost coins in the two other chutes, for example chutes 189/1 and 189/2, which will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12.

It has been mentioned above that FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a simplified device under the assumption that only one coin chute is provided for use with coins having all the same value. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the preferred arrangement in which the apparatus can be operated by three different coins, for example one DM, two DM, and five DM. This requires a modified coin slide 186 provided with three coin chutes 189, 189/ 1, 189/2 which are only partly shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 for the sake of simplicity. It will be understood that the several coin chutes and the corresponding coin transporting segments 180, /1, 180/2 are arranged in relation to the coin slide 186 in the manner shown for one chute and one transporting segment in FIG. 4.

The coin testing device 33 is of conventional construction, and has three parts respectively associated with one of the three used coins. Different coins inserted into hopper 38 are tested, and when accepted, are guided into the corresponding coin chutes 189, 189/ 1, 189/2 of the coin control device 34.

The functions of the coin slide are substantially the same as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and each coin chute is associated with a coin support 200 which supports the coins in the normal inoperative position of the apparatus. The coin transporting segments 180, 180/1, 180/2 are all secured to a common shaft 179 and are operated by rod 181 as described for a single coin transporting segment with reference to FIG. 4. A selecting means 270 is mounted on coin slide 186 for movement transverse to the direction of movement of the coin slide and across the three coin chutes. The selecting means 270 includes a body mounted on a pair of horizontal shafts 276, 277 of which shaft 276 is secured to the plate 187 of the coin slide 186 which bounds coin chute 189 on one side. Shaft 277 is mounted in the lateral plate 187' of coin chute 189/ 2, and also in plate 187 for axial movement. The selecting means 270 has a bracket 278- secured to shaft 277. The end 277 of shaft 277 is urged by a spring 279 mounted between plate 187' and bracket 278, to move into engagement with a guide member 280 which is fixed to the outside of wall 28, see FIG. 1, and has a slanted guide face 181 cooperating with end portion 277 to cause transverse movement of selecting means 270 during movement of coin slide 186. Selecting means 270 has two blocking projections 271 and 272, and two feelers 273 and 274. While blocking projection 271, which is about twice as wide as blocking projection 272, cooperates with coin chute 189 for the coin of smallest value, blocking projection 172 cooperates with coin chute 189/1 which is provided for the coin having the next greater value.

Feelers 273 and 274 are staggered in vertical and horizontal directions in relation to blocking projections 271 and 272 so that they can laterally engage coins located in chutes 189/1 and 189/2 for the second highest, and for the highest value coins during the axial movement of selecting means 27 0.

Such axial inward movement of selecting means 270 takes place when the coin slide 186 moves from the right to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, since the end portion 27 7' of shaft 277 slides along the slanted guide surface 281 so that selecting means 270 is moved from the right to the left as viewed in FIG. 12.

Peeler 273 is displaced in horizontal direction in relation to blocking projection 272 such a distance that a coin in coin chute 189/1 can easily fall between the same. The horizontal distance of feeler 274 and the blocking projections 271, 272 is selected so that blocking projections 271 and 272 close coin chutes 189/2, 189/1 and prevent the dropping out of coins from the same, if feeler 274 abuts a coin in coin chute 189 of the highest value coin. The horizontal distance between feeler 273 and blocking projection 271 is correspondingly selected so that only coin chute 189 of the lowest value coin is closed by blocking projection 271 when feeler 273 abuts a coin in coin chute 189/1.

Selecting means 270 has two saw tooth shaped projections 282, 282 which cooperate with the slanted face of a projection 283 of an arresting lever 275 which is mounted on a pivot 284 on plate 187' of the coin slide, and is biased by a spring 285. Arresting lever 275 is controlled by a pin 286 fixed to rod 181 by which the coin transporting segments are shifted.

The coin selecting means operates as follows:

In the initial position of coin slide 186 which is assumed by the same when discharge nozzle 12 rests on control member 11, and in which position coins can be inserted into the apparatus to rest on supports 200', the selection means 270 has been moved by the guide member 280 to the position illustrated in FIG. 12 in which two blocking projections 271 and 272 do not close the coin ch-ut-es 189 and 189/1 of the smaller coins, and in which position feelers 273 and 274 are located outside of coin chutes 189/1 and 189/2.

Assuming that coins of all three possible values, namely one DM coin, two DM coins, and five DM coins, are inserted, the same drop, respectively, in coin chutes 189, 189/ 1, 189/2 until resting on supports 200.

When discharge nozzle 12 is removed by the customer and the clearing segment 15 clears the price calculator, the coin slides 186 move from the right to the left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 13 to align the pockets 220 in the coin transporting segments 180, 1811/1, 1230/2 with the outlets of the coin chutes. During this movement of coin slide 186, the end portion 277 of shaft 277 slides along the slanted guide face 281 of guide member 280, and the selecting means 270 starts its movement from the right to the left as viewed in FIG. 12 until feeler 274 abuts a coin located in coin chute 189/2. In this position of selecting means 270, the two blocking projections 271 and 272 are located exactly under the coins in chutes 189 and 189/ 1, which are no longer closed by supports 200, so that the blocking projections 271 and 272 hold the one DM and two DM coins in the respective chutes. Since due to the pressure of spring 279, feeler 274 clamps the coin in coin chute 189/2, it is necessary to move selecting means 270 'back to the right when the coin transporting segments 180, 180/1, 180/2 are again retracted. This is accomplished by arresting lever 275 whose slanted fingers 283 engages the slanted back of saw tooth projection 282 when arresting lever 275 follows the movement of pin 286' with rod 181 under the action of spring 285.

The selecting means 270 is now held in this position by arresting lever 275 until the coin dropped into pocket 220 of transporting segment 180/2, has actuated sensing lever 223 to enter the value of the coin into the credit storage means 231, 231, and drops into the cash receptacle 34'.

During this transporting movement of the coin, arresting lever 275 is lifted off saw-tooth projectoin 282 and feeler 274 can move to a position sensing whether another coin is located in coin chute 189/2. If another coin is sensed in this coin chute, the above-described operation is repeated. If there is no coin in the chute 189/ 2, selecting means 270 moves farther to the left until the feeler 273 abuts a two DM coin located in coin chute 189/1. In this position of the selecting means 270, the wider blocking projection 271 closes only the coin chute 189 of the smallest DM coins. At this moment, blocking projection 272 has already left coin chute 189/ 1. If coin transporting segments 180, 180/ 1, and 180/2 are again moved to the receiving position which is accomplished by control cam 177 and angular cam follower lever 174, as described with reference to FIG. 4, finger 283 of arresting lever 275 engages saw-tooth shaped projection 282' and retracts feeler 273 which has clamped until this moment a two DM coin in coin chute 189/1. The operations are repeated until also coin chute 189/1 is empty, and the selecting means 270 has assumed its innermost left position so that blocking projection 271 opens coin chute 189 for the one DM coins.

When after the dispensing operation, the discharge nozzle is again placed on control member 11 and the clearing spring 18 has been tensioned by clearing segment 15, coin slide 186 moves back to its normal inoperative position, and causes at the same time by guide member 280, return of the selecting means 270 from its innermost left position to its outermost right position as viewed in FIG. 12.

Selecting means 270 is purposely controlled in such a manner that the coins of the higher values are first received by the transporting segments and moved to actuate sensing lever 223 to store the respective monetary value in the storing means 231, 231'. Coins whose value has been stored in the storing means 231, 231 and credited to the customers, cannot be returned any more, and in the event that the customer must interrupt the dispensing operation before receiving full value, because 23 his gas tank cannot hold the amount of fuel paid for by the insertion of coins, the smaller values of the one DM and two DM coins used at the end of the fuel dispensing operation assure that the amount credited to the customer, but not used up by the same, is small. This is based on the experience that a customer who operates the automatic fuel vending apparatus, knows approximately how much fuel he can fill into his gas tank, and how much he has to pay for it. For example, the driver sees that the indicator on the dashboard shows an empty gas tank, and thinks that the amount of gasoline required for filling up the tank, will cost 17 DM. He puts two DM coins, three 2 DM coins, and one 1 DM coin into the slot of the coin tester, removes the discharge nozzle from its rest, and fills his tank. Assuming that the indicator in the vehicle did not correctly indicate the amount of fuel in the gas tank, the driver notices that the gas tank is completely filled when the price indicator 3 indicates an amount of DM 4.70. Assuming that he does not have any container for the excess amount of gasoline due to him, he must stop the dispensing operation by returning the discharge nozzle 12 to its rest, and turn the coin return knob 35. Since the first five DM coin is already deposited in the cash receptacle 34' and has turned the storage means 231, 231 five pitch distances, and since while the gasoline was dispensed, the operation of pawls 235, 236 during each revolution of the unit wheel 3 has returned the storage means 231, 231 to its initial position, and furthermore since the second five DM coin is already located in the pocket 220 of the respective coin transporting segment 180, seven DM are returned to the customer in the form of three 2 DM coins and one 1 DM coin.

Assuming a different situation Where the gas tank is filled after the customer has dispensed an amount of gasoline having a value of DM 13.30, one 2 DM coin and one 1 DM coin are returned to him upon operation of the coin return knob 35. In this event, the customer loses only 0.70 DM. The example shows that, in the event that not the highest value coins are used first, a loss of DM 3.70 instead of a loss of DM 0.70 would have been caused to the customer.

The apparatus of the invention facilitates the automatic vending operation of the fuel at gas stations even for persons who have no previous experience in such matters. Only two manual operations are required, namely the insertion of coins in the usual manner into a coin slot, and the picking up of the discharge nozzle for the purpose of inserting the same into the opening of the gas tank. The apparatus is absolutely safe against fraudulent operation, and due to its purely mechanical construction and operation, it is extremely reliable and accurate. Since the apparatus is directly connected with the price of the calculator, no additional devices and connections are required on the tank column, except the discharge valve.

From the above description it becomes apparent that the disclosed embodiment comprises control means 40, 135, 177, 242, 243 driven from unit wheel 3 of the register 3 of the price calculator 1, 2, 3; coin receiving means including a coin testing device 33, and a coin slide 186 with at least one coin chute 189 closed by coin transporting means 180 which moves the coin 190 past sensing means 223; credit storage means 231, 231' operated by sensing means 223 to store the value of the sensed coin, and operated by lugs 242, 243 of control means 40 acting on the pawls 235, 236 to reduce the stored value during rotation of the price calculator 1, 2, 3, which is driven by dispensed fuel; and discharge control means including valve control means 128-133 biased by a spring 131 to close a valve terminating the fiow of fuel when releasing member 139 unlocks latch 133. During dispensing operations, releasing member 139 is in the position of FIG. 9 and cannot engage pin 138 of latch 133 while being reciprocated by eccentric cam 140 on control shaft 40. When the value stored in the credit storage device 231,

231' is exhausted and sensing means 223 senses no newly inserted coin, shaft 229 is in a position in which arm 244 with pin 246 hold releasing member 139 in the positon of FIG. 10 opposte pin 138 of releasing member 139 which is operated by control means 40, 140 to move latch 133 to the position shown in FIG. 10, releases discharge control lever 130, 132 so that spring 131 urges the discharge control means 130, 129 to an operative valve closing position. In order to prevent the too rapid closing of the discharge valve, cam follower portion 134 of discharge control lever engages a control cam 135 on control shaft 40 which due to its shape effects a controlled movement of discharge control level and gradual closing of the discharge valve. Second also sense means 96 sensing the presence of an inserted coin in the coin chute and cause start of the pump motor when discharge nozzle 12 is removed from control member 11, which also causes the clearing means 15, 16, 14, 18 to clear the price calculator, While return of the discharge nozzle 13 tensions the spring motor 18 of the clearing means.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also fiind a useful application in other types of fuel vending apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illusetrated and described as embodied in a coin operated automatic fuel dispensing apparatus controlled by the discharge nozzle and by the price calculator, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential charac teristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. For use at a tank station having a fuel pump, a motor driving pump, and a price calculator driven by fuel discharged from the pump and including a register having a rotary means associated with a monetary unit, in combination, coin operated fuel vending apparatus comprising control means connected with said rotary means of said price calculator and driven by the same; coin receiving means adapted to receive inserted coins; sensing means for sensing a dimension of a coin present in said coin receiving means, and also the absence of a coin; credit storage means operated by said sensing means to store the valve of a sensed coin, and being operated by said control means to reduce the stored value during rotation of the rotary means of the price calculator; discharge control means including valve control means for terminating the discharge of fuel and having a normal inoperative position, and an operative position for terminating the discharge of fuel, said control means tending to move said fluid discharge means to said operative position; and connecting means controlled by said credit storage means and said sensing means to connect said control means with said discharge control means only when said sensing means senses no coin in said coin receiving means and when the value stored in said credit storage means has been reduced to zero whereby discharge of fuel is stopped under the control of said control means.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said valve control means include a discharge control member adapted to operate a discharge controlling valve and having an inoperative position and a discharge position, biassing means urging said discharge control member to said discharge position, and a latch member for locking said discharge control member in said inoperative position;

wherein said control means include cylically operative means for operating said latch member to release said discharge control member; and wherein said connecting means include means operatively connected with said credit storage means to couple said cyclically operative means with said latch member when said credit storage means is in a position storing no value while said sensing means senses no coin whereby said discharge control member moves to said discharge position.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 comprising bias sing means for urging said valve control means of said discharge control means to said operative position; and wherein said control means include rotary cam mean-s located in the path of movement of said valve control means to said operative position and having a cam track of such a shape that said discharge control means gradually moves to said operative position.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said control means tend to move said discharge control means to said operative position; and wherein said connecting means prevent movement of said valve control means to said operative position until said sensing means senses no coin in said coin receiving means, and the value stored in said credit storage means is exhausted.

5. The combination defined in claim 1 comprising a support including a casing for said price calculator; and a housing for said fuel vending apparatus supporting the same and being mounted on said support for said price calculator; and wherein said control means include a control shaft means; and coupling means for connecting said rotary means of said price calculator with said control shaft means.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said coin receiving means include transporting means for a coin; and comprising linkage means for connecting said control means with said transporting means so that the latter are operated by the former to move to a coin discharge position for transporting the coin into a cash receptacle; and wherein said sensing means senses said dimension, and thereby the value of the transported coin during movement to said transporting means.

7. The combination defined in claim 1 comprising second sensing means for sensing a coin inserted into said coin receiving means; and starting means for starting said motor and pump operatively connected with said second sensing means to start said motor when said second sensing means senses a coin, and to disconnect said motor when said second sensing means senses no coin in said coin receiving means.

8. The combination defined in claim 7 and comprising a discharge nozzle having a position of rest, and an operative position for dispensing fuel discharged by said pump; and wherein said starting means is also controlled by said discharge nozzle to start said motor only when said discharge nozzle is in said operative position.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 and comprising clearing means for said price calculator having a clearing spring; a control member providing a rest for said discharge nozzle and being in a first position when supporting said discharge nozzle in said position of rest, and assuming a second position when said discharge nozzle is in said operative position; and linkage means, said control member being connected by said linkage means with said clearing means for tensioning said clearing spring in said first position so that said clearing spring operates said clearing means to clear said price calculator when said discharge nozzle is moved to said operative position.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said discharge control means are adapted to operate a valve through which fuel pumped by said pump flows so that said valve closes when the credited value stored in said storage means is exhausted.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said control member in said second position causes said starting means to disconnect said motor whereby said pump is stopped when said discharge nozzle is returned to said position of rest before said discharge control means closes said valve.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said linkage means include a locking latch operated by said starting means so that said locking latch releases said linkage means for movement when said motor is started by said starting means.

13. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said coin receiving means include a coin slide having at least one coin chute for inserted coins and being movable between a normal coin receiving position and an operative position, said coin slide being operatively connected with said clearing means to be moved by the same between said positions, and a coin transporting means aligned with said coin chute in said operative position to receive a single coin from the same, said transporting means being operatively connected with said control means to transport the coin past said sensing means.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 including manually operated coin return means for moving said coin slide to said coin receiving position so that a coin located in said coin chute can be returned.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein said coin slide has a plurality of coin chutes disposes adjacent each other in a row transverse to the direction of movement of said coin slide, said coin chutes being constructed to receive different coins having different values.

16. The combination defined in claim 13 and including means operatively connecting said transporting means with said coin slides so that said transporting means can be moved not only by said control means but also by said coin slide when the same is moved by said clearing means.

17. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein said transporting means include at least one pivotally mounted transporting member having a coin pocket dimensioned so that a coin therein projects from said pocket for actuating said sensing means during movement of said transporting member.

18. The combination defined in claim 13 including support means disposed under said coin chute in said coin receiving position for supporting the lowermost coin in said coin chute; and comprising manually operated coin return means connected with said coin slide and with said support means for moving said coin slide to said coin receiving position, and said coin support means to an inoperative position permitting removal of coins from said coin chute in said coin receiving position of said coin slide.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said supporting means is movable to said inoperative position in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said coin slide between said operative and coin receiving positions.

20. The combination of claim 13 wherein said transporting means has a forwardly located part having a pocket for holding a coin, and having a rearwardly located circular projection for closing the lower end of said coin chute in one position of said transporting means.

21. The combination of claim 1 wherein said credit storage means include two fixedly connected toothed segments, each having peripheral teeth spaced a pitch distance representing a monetary unit, the teeth of said two segments being staggered half said pitch distance, and a pair of pawls respectively cooperating with said teeth of said segments and being spring biased to permit turning of said segments in one direction of rotation under the control of said sensing means, while preventing movement in the opposite direction, and wherein said control means includes a control shaft driven by said rotary means of said price register, and lug means on said control shaft for operating said pawls to release a respective segment once during each revolution of said control shaft, and biasing means biasing said segments to turn 

